Jake rubbed his collarbone. It was time to tell her the truth, no matter how painful it might be for her. He took in a deep breath. “There isn’t going to be a wedding. I never proposed to Claire.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s complicated, but Claire made it all up as a way to trap me into staying with her. I broke up with her more than a month ago, but she can’t seem to accept it.”
Mom’s mouth opened and then closed, and he waited for her to burst into tears.
Instead, she just looked sad, but it tore him up just the same. “Why didn’t you say something last night?”
“I tried to. But every time I attempted to talk, my words were cut off.” He moved his fingers over the doorframe. “Plus, you seemed so excited, and you kept saying that this was what you and Dad needed. I didn’t know how to tell you the whole thing was fake. Not right then.”
He hesitated. “I’m sorry I didn’t admit the truth last night, but I was overwhelmed. I was furious with Claire, and I was worried sick about Emily. She hurried out of there, and when I tried to stop her, Claire blocked me, and I didn’t want to make a scene. I tried to call and text Emily all evening, but she never responded,” he said. “And I wanted to wait until the right time to explain what was going on. Claire was determined to keep her lie going, and it ended up getting out of control. I figured it was best to tell you the truth in private and deal with her later.”
Mom searched his eyes. “You should know that you can tell me anything,” she said. “I mean that. Always.”
He ran his hands down his face. Heneededto tell her everything. His mom deserved the whole truth. “I’ve been seeing Emily. We’ve been keeping it private for now, but after what happened last night, I think I may have lost her.”
“You and Emily?”
Mom cupped her hands to her mouth as he nodded.
“That’s... Oh, I can’t believe it. That’s so sweet. You two grew up together.” She clicked her tongue and smiled. “How romantic.”
“I’m not sure how romantic it is when she won’t return my calls or texts.”
“She hasn’t left town, and Splendid Lake is only so big. You’llfind her.” Mom touched his arm. “I’ve known that she was in love with you for a long time.”
“You have?” He could hear the thread of hope in his voice.
“Yeah, it’s obvious.” She pointed toward the door. “Now, go find her and tell her how you feel.”
“Thanks. I will.” He hugged his mother while his chest swelled with hope. Then he rushed out the door and down the path toward the barn.
“Jake!” Vince sprinted over to him. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Have you seen the mural?”
“What mural?”
Vince pointed to the barn. “On the barn. You’ve got to see it. She’s amazing.”
“She?” Jake asked as he picked up the pace.
“Yeah, Emily. Who else?” Vince grinned.
Emily!
Jake took off running down the path and stopped short when he spotted Emily perched up on scaffolding.
His breath caught as he found the most magnificent mural he’d ever seen coming to life on the side of the barn facing the road.
The details weren’t completely colored in, but he could tell it featured his family’s orchard logo at the top. She’d sketched out the lake, the orchard, and the barn itself. Across the top stretched the words100th Anniversary Celebration.Then the bottom featured a message that read:Serving the Community for 100 Years.
It was Emily’s masterpiece, and she was displaying it in Jake’s orchard. She was finally sharing her talent, her gift, with the world. A mixture of pride, love, and appreciation roared through him.
Cupping his hands around his mouth he called, “Emily!”
She turned toward him, and her gray hoodie, jeans, shoes, and face were all dotted with paint. She had never looked more beautiful.
And at that moment he felt it again: He was madly in love with her. He yearned to fix things between them—now.
